Leeds United have been linked with a player labeled ‘the next Dani Alves’ as the Whites begin to put plans in place for a return to the Premier League.
Leeds currently sit top of the Championship, seven points clear of Fulham in third, meaning they are in a strong position to seal promotion when the season eventually restarts.
With that in mind, they have been linked with a number of players to bolster their ranks ahead of a potential first season back in the top flight in 16 years, with Marcelo Bielsa keen to add more quality to his squad.
And according to a report by Phil Hay of The Athletic, cited on Leeds Live, the latest player said to be of interest is Yan Couto, a 17-year-old Brazilian right back currently of Manchester City.
In a recent article, Hay said: “Manchester City’s Yan Couto, a right-sided Brazilian, is a player I’ve heard them strongly linked with. Keep an eye on that one.”
Couto moved to the Etihad just over two months ago from Brazilian side Cortiba FC, with the Citizens beating off competition from La Liga giants Barcelona to secure his signature.
The promising youngster, who has 13 caps for Brazil under-17s, put pen to paper on a five-year deal with Pep Guardiola’s team and is expected to have a bright future in the game but is likely to be loaned out in order to find regular game time.
Therefore, Couto could spend his first full year in England providing competition to Luke Ayling for the right-back spot in the Leeds side, with the West Yorkshire short of options on the right side of their defence.
Having recently done business with City when negotiating deals for Jack Harrison and Ian Poveda, Leeds may feel they have a strong chance of signing Couto should they wish to do so.
Guardiola has also publicly spoken of his admiration of Bielsa, meaning he may feel Elland Road is a good place for one of his emerging talents to develop.
READ MORE: Sergio Aguero has responded to reports he could leave Manchester City at the end of the season.
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